Powell '12: Can the former secretary of state lead the GOP to victory?

Forbes.com ^ | July 13, 2009 | Reihan Salam

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Could Colin Powell run against Barack Obama as a Republican and win? The idea is more than a little fanciful. Alma Powell, Colin Powell's wife, has long opposed her husband's political forays. And of course a presidential campaign would be an ordeal for a man Powell's age, his robust health notwithstanding. It doesn't help that there is no clamor for a Powell presidential campaign.

Back in 1996, he was seen as an Eisenhower-like figure who could unite Republicans and independents to defeat Bill Clinton. Since then, Powell has alienated Republicans with his sharp criticisms of social conservatives and his support for affirmative action, among other things. Then, of course, there was his 2008 endorsement of Obama. After the election, Dick Cheney wondered aloud if Powell still considered himself a Republican at all. In a party that feels down and out, such displays of disloyalty are not exactly welcome. But to win in 2012, Republicans have no choice but to win over millions of voters who, like Powell, backed Obama in 2008.

To that end, Powell could be exactly the presidential candidate Republicans need. Consider Powell's interview with John King on CNN's State of the Union last weekend. For whatever reason--perhaps to preserve his reputation as an independent, above-the-fray voice--the former secretary of state raised serious questions about President Obama's leadership. Powell is convinced that the president is expanding government too much and too quickly, a view he shares with the Republican base. Rather than couch his objections in ideological terms, Powell used the sober language of fiscal responsibility. He didn't advocate limited government for its own sake, and he acknowledged that American voters consider the many issues the White House is tackling to be very important.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

He's got to be kidding.

[rabscuttle385]

You forgot the barf alert.

[originalbuckeye]

NO!

[Outlaw Woman]

‘need a barf alert’ on this one

[CaptRon]

OK Reihan, back away from the hookah...

[Azzurri]

This would certainly lead to a 3rd Party candidate.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Sorry. I was too busy barfing.

[sitetest]

Who is gonna vote for him?

All the Dems and other affiliates of the Party of Satan will vote for the anti-Christ Obama, and actual conservatives will vote for neither.

[TheConservativeParty]

Hey, it’s almost dinner time! Article needs a MegaBarf alert.

[Sparko]

Reihan M Salam jumped the shark. Not only no, but hell no.

[Cheburashka]

Sure.

In an alternate universe.

[tet68]

there is no clamor for a Powell presidential campaign.

Doh!

[OldSmaj]

I don't think I want any part of a Powell ticket in 2012.

He's not a republican (neither am I, any more, but that's a whole 'nother story) and his conservative values have suffered some...plus he endorsed Obong-bama for the presidency.

I sure as hell wouldn't endorse a democratic ticket over him, if he were the only choice...but, still.

No, thanks.

[libh8er]

Powell already ran in 08, we saw how that went.

[CarolinaGOP]

This isn’t satire? Powell as a presidential candidate would be worse than McCain!

[savedbygrace]

100% No.

[Tallguy]

Puhleeze!

(and anyway, why would Powell suddenly decide to do something he refused to do when his ‘numbers’ were much higher than they are now?)

[Jeffrey_D.]

If you want a ‘wind sock’ for potus . . . . ?

[GeronL]

Powell supports Obama and attacks conservatives.

The media thinks he should run as a Republican??

What drugs was he on?

[Sarah Barracuda]

Colin Powell makes John McCain look like a Conservative. YUCK!! Powell in 2012, I think I am about to puke

[billhilly]

I’m skipping this article, and hope everyone else does as well.

[5thGenTexan]

Tried RINO last time...didn’t work.

[novemberslady]

I will not vote for powell.
ever

[Night Hides Not]

To that end, Powell could be exactly the presidential candidate Republicans need.

That's what the "experts" said about McCain, and Powell still voted for Obama.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

No.

Next silly question?

[Centurion2000]

These people are insane. GOP party is gone. It's just taking time to die.

[NoobRep]

Ummm I wouldn’t vote for Powell if it meant keeping Obama out of the White House another 4 years. Powell is death by 1000 paper cuts. Obama will ruin the country and we’ll rebuild it from the ground up.

[Colorado Cowgirl]

Exactly! no more RINOs. Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!!!

[Arizona Carolyn]

~ROFLOL~~~~~~

[driftdiver]

You mean can the guy who endorsed the Dim one election lead the fight against him the next time? how?

[FES0844]

The answer is NO...his wife won’t let him!

[The_Victor]

He'd never get the GOP nomination, after endorsing 0bama in 08.

[Graybeard58]

Powell/Romney 2012!

 (Just kidding)

[listenhillary]

FUCP

[big'ol_freeper]

Heck even Romney would be better than Powell...which ain’t saying much.

[Salgak]

. . .and I’m sure we know what her name would be. . .

[DB]

Hell NO!

How can he claim he wants to run against a person in the OTHER PARTY that HE VOTED FOR as a "Republican"!

He should officially change his party affiliation to match his beliefs and run against Obama as Democrat.

[LRS]

Is this a Colinoscopy?

[ak267]

Hey, interesting thought, Powell would actually have to WORK and EXPLAIN his positions to public. Then he’d have to EXPLAIN his backing of Obama in 2008.

At this point, the alarm bell rings and people wake up from the nightmare.

[9YearLurker]

Ha ha ha! The Left’s favorite ‘next generation’ Republican pundit endorsing the Left’s favorite last generation Republican non-candidate.

[Robert A. Cook, PE]

No friggin’ way!

[indylindy]

uh, no, I am not voting for anyone that backed Obama.

GOP, don’t even entertain the notion.

[Lakeshark]

Lots of no's and one Hell no..........to paraphrase a much better candidate........

[rightwingjew]

Both have the same agenda. No choice here.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

The idea is more than a little fanciful.


The idea is more like sheer absurd suicidal gotta-write-something-to-wrap-ads-around I-get-paid-by-quality-not-quantity fanciful.

[rom]

Yeah right. Run against the man he endorsed? What are the odds of that!

I’d also say that he’d have no chance of winning the primary — but then we did end up with McCain last time.

[Jim Noble]

It doesn't help that there is no clamor for a Powell presidential campaign.

[ModelBreaker]

And the difference in a Powell administration would be ???

[Shelayne]

Powell '12: Can the former secretary of state lead the GOP to victory?

You have got to be kidding!

[TommyDale]

He will NEVER get my vote, even he is running unopposed!